I just went through this exact same nightmare last week! The TWC system locked me out right in the middle of submitting my work search activities too. What finally worked for me was calling the main TWC number (800-939-6631) at exactly 7:58 AM and pressing 1-1-1 as soon as the automated menu started - sometimes you can get in the queue before the lines get completely jammed. I got through after about 45 minutes of waiting. The rep told me they've had hundreds of these lockout cases since the January system update and they're working on a fix. She unlocked my account immediately and I was able to submit everything that same day. Don't give up - your benefits are protected as long as you keep trying to file in good faith!

I’m trying to do my work searches, but it won’t log me in. It keeps saying my email is with another account but it’s not.

I'm a single parent who went through this exact situation two years ago in Texas. My employer switched me from evening shift to morning shift with only 4 weeks notice, and I had to quit because I couldn't afford morning childcare. TWC initially approved my benefits without even requiring an appeal! Here's what made the difference in my case: I had saved the original job posting that specifically mentioned "evening hours" and my offer letter that referenced the shift schedule. When my supervisor told me about the change, I immediately sent an email asking to stay on evenings and explaining my childcare situation. When HR denied my request, I sent another email stating that this schedule change was a fundamental alteration to my employment terms that made it impossible to continue working. The TWC examiner told me during my fact-finding interview that having that email trail showing I tried to work with my employer was crucial. She said many people just quit without attempting to resolve the issue first, which hurts their case. The fact that you're already thinking about documentation puts you way ahead of where I was initially. One thing I wish I had done sooner was contact local childcare centers to get written statements about morning availability and costs. Even though TWC approved my claim, having that extra evidence would have made me feel more confident during the process. Start gathering that documentation now while you still have time - it shows TWC that morning childcare truly isn't a viable option for your situation.

As someone who successfully navigated a similar situation, I want to emphasize something that hasn't been mentioned yet - keep detailed records of your current childcare arrangements and costs too. When I filed my TWC claim after my employer changed my schedule, the examiner asked specific questions about what childcare I currently used and why the new schedule wouldn't work with those arrangements. Having documentation showing that you specifically arranged night-shift childcare (or arranged to be home during the day) when you took this job helps prove that the schedule was a material condition of your employment. If you have any texts or emails with babysitters, family members, or daycare providers from when you first started this job, save those - they show you made childcare decisions based on the night schedule. Also, don't forget to check if your employer has any written policies about schedule changes. Some companies have policies requiring certain notice periods for major schedule changes or procedures for requesting accommodations. If they violated their own policies in how they handled your situation, that strengthens your case even more. You're doing everything right by planning ahead and getting documentation. This kind of preparation is exactly what leads to successful outcomes with TWC!

I've been dealing with this exact same nightmare for over a month now! The 800-939-6631 number is absolutely useless - I think I've called it over 100 times at this point. What finally worked for me was using a combination of strategies from this thread. I tried the alternate number 800-215-4812 that @LilMama23 mentioned, called on a Wednesday around 2:30pm like @Esmeralda Gómez suggested, and got through after about 45 minutes on hold. The rep was actually really helpful once I reached someone. Also want to echo what others said about documenting everything - have all your info ready because they move fast once you're connected. Don't give up, it's frustrating but there are ways to get through if you keep trying different approaches!

Did anyone try to call repeatedly and were hung up on in October preferably between 10/23 thru 10/30? Or have any screenshots around this time that system was down??

This has been such an incredibly thorough and helpful discussion! As someone who's currently dealing with my own TWC appeal situation (employer filed 3 weeks late), I've learned more from this thread than from hours of trying to navigate TWC's website and phone system. Diego, your case really highlights how systematic this problem has become - employers completely ignoring the initial process until the financial impact hits, then suddenly wanting to challenge everything after missing all their deadlines. The 2-month delay in your situation is so egregious that it should be an easy procedural dismissal. What's been most valuable to me is seeing the specific language everyone has suggested for the opening statement and the multiple angles of attack (14-day rule, pattern of non-participation, suspicious timing with chargeback notices). I'm definitely going to use the approach of requesting dismissal for procedural violations before any discussion of merits. The success stories shared here give me so much hope that these procedural protections actually work when you know how to present them properly. It's clear that TWC designed these deadlines specifically to prevent the kind of bad faith behavior your employer is displaying. Best of luck with your hearing Thursday! Please do post that detailed update afterward - this thread is going to be a goldmine for anyone facing similar late appeals. You've got this! 💪

I just wanted to jump in here as someone who's been through the TWC system several times over the years. Reading through this thread has been incredibly educational - the level of detail and strategic advice shared here is amazing! Diego, your situation is unfortunately becoming more and more common. What really bothers me is how employers can just completely ignore their responsibilities during the initial claim process, then suddenly become "concerned" about proper procedures only when they realize it's going to cost them money. The two-month delay in your case makes their true motivation crystal clear. The advice everyone has given about the 14-day rule and Texas Labor Code Section 208.004 is spot on. I've seen this procedural objection work in similar cases where employers tried to file late appeals after ignoring multiple contacts from TWC. The key really is raising it immediately at the start of the hearing and being very specific about the legal citations. One thing I'd add is to stay calm if your employer gets defensive or tries to interrupt during your procedural objection. Sometimes they realize how bad their position is once you start laying out the timeline and legal violations clearly. Don't let them derail you from making your complete argument about the missed deadlines. You're incredibly well-prepared for Thursday's hearing thanks to all the great advice in this thread. The combination of the clear procedural violations and your solid documentation about being laid off should make this a straightforward win. Looking forward to hearing your success story!

I'm going through a similar situation right now - just moved from Dallas to Arkansas and lost my job last week. This entire thread has been incredibly valuable for understanding the interstate unemployment process! Based on everything everyone has shared, it's clear that filing with TWC (where you earned your wages) is the right move, even though it's more complex than a regular claim. The consistent advice about expecting 4-5 weeks for processing and being proactive with documentation really helps set realistic expectations. A few key takeaways I'm noting for my own situation: - Keep detailed records of everything from day one - Contact TWC's Interstate Benefits unit directly rather than general customer service - Start job search activities immediately, even before official registration with the new state - Be prepared to explain the interstate situation to potential employers It's amazing how this community comes together to help each other navigate these complicated situations. Thank you to everyone who shared their specific experiences - this thread should honestly be pinned as a resource for anyone dealing with interstate unemployment claims! For Micah and others in similar situations: it sounds challenging upfront but definitely manageable with the right preparation and patience. Good luck with your claim!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who went through this exact situation when I moved from Houston to Oklahoma in 2023! This thread is absolutely incredible - so much practical advice that would have saved me weeks of confusion. One thing I'll add that helped me specifically with Oklahoma: they have a really useful "Interstate Claimant Guide" on their OESC website that breaks down exactly what you need to do once TWC notifies them of your claim. It's buried in their resources section, but it walks through the whole process step by step. Also, here's something I learned the hard way - when you're doing your work search activities in Oklahoma, make sure to apply to jobs that actually match your skill level and experience. OESC reviews your applications and if they think you're just applying randomly to meet the quota, they can flag your account. Quality over quantity is key with Oklahoma's system. The good news is that Oklahoma's job market is actually pretty decent right now, especially in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa areas. I ended up finding a great position after about 6 weeks of searching, and the interstate unemployment process worked smoothly once everything was set up. You're going to do fine, Micah! Just follow all the excellent advice in this thread and be patient with the initial setup process. The wait is worth it when everything starts working properly.